Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:22 am  

Other scenario that's likely is injuries to key players.

[Bullseye]

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:33 am  

I think we're about as well equipped as we could be. The points about having a settled squad already and the prospect of the SL clubs in the middle 8 having issues to contend with are good ones.

One point I will make is that 2015 will be our best shot at promotion. If we fail then momentum will be lost and it'lll get much harder to recruit quality.

Also we shouldn't count our chickens too much. Leigh and Fev will provide stern tests and there are potential banana skins versus other teams if we don't turn up. I remember watching us struggle to beat Dewsbury in the mud with a 1st team squad on the field in a friendly a few years back. We'll be the prize scalp for all the other teams in the division.

[Bulliac]

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 12:01 pm  

To be honest Bullseye, the fact that we'll definitely be a 'prize scalp' is one of our advantages next season.

We obviously lose the higher intensity of SL games but should get back much of what we lose with the "let's get the Bulls" mentality which [I really do hope] we'll get from other clubs, in its place. It should also be an important part of Jimmy's team talks too; we're still the Bulls who went to five consecutive play-off finals, won three World titles and how many SL championships was it, I forget? and we need to keep the lads on their mettle, with that added pressure being a good build up to the middle eight.

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 12:33 pm  

JUDGE666 wrote:

Big and bearded....Apparantly...

Just to update - found out the player I was referring to above was Paul Clough - so my source was correct

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:33 pm  

As far as pre-season friendlies are concerned I propose we don't play any championship clubs in case we show our hand too early. We all hop on a plane for 4 weeks to OZ and have a mini tour where we thrash the Burgess lads at the Rabito's. Demolish the Roosters. Show Melbourn how the game is played (nice pie and pea stall there) and finish with a big booze up, sorry, serious week on the Gold coast running rings round Brisbane. That sounds like a decent idea to me. Now how do I raise the cash to do it and where did I put my leather thongs. Anyone else in? Lets put the idea to Ferres.

[Bullseye]

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:49 pm  

I'm up for that. Can you clear it with my work?

[Bulliac]

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 3:59 pm  

AND, the best thing is, it's on the other side of the world, so NO_ONE who knows anything about RL will ever find out about it..

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:02 pm  

I think that's probably more accurate than you intended.

[Bulliac]

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:14 pm  

What? You mean the Aussies? We're not bothered if THEY know we're brilliant..by the time their letters get back here it'll be the end of the season..

Re: New Signings/Re-Signings : Wed Sep 24, 2014 4:26 pm  

Errol Stock wrote:

There is a lot of talk about the gap between SL and Championship and how we will fair when it gets to the business end of next season...

However, there will be some squeaky bums in those bottom 4 SL clubs and IF (yes another IF) one of them has an internal issues at the time - it will have a detrimental effect on the team.

Scenarios may be;

Coach has "lost" the players.
Cliques within the team.
Financial issues.
Demotivated players

I guess it will be down to timing and possibly a bit of luck and we won't know for sure until we go head to head - but I am not convinced as some that no Championship teams will win promotion.

I agree. Hull KR have no half backs or first choice hooker, an inexperienced coach and a Chairman who's just slagged the players off in the paper.

Anything can happen and I'm generally optimistic based on the squad. It's all rather dependent on two or three unproven props really stepping up. Sidlow and Clough are only OK at their best.